Not every cavity will lead to your needing a dental crown, but a crown can help you recover from a serious cavity. The crown is shaped to look like the tooth it will cover, and can be made from one of several different material types. These material types have different properties – a metal crown is stronger, while a ceramic crown is the most realistic-looking. The merits of a material type can depend on how visible the crown is, or how much pressure it will be required to endure.

Protecting A Tooth That Needs More Than Just A Filling

The most conservative means of taking care of a cavity is with a dental filling. Your dentist can use a filling to restore a tooth after removing infected material. By using a composite resin material, the filling can bond directly to the tooth, and minimize the effect on how you look. However, this technique is not always viable. If too much tooth structure was lost to the cavity, a crown may be needed to fully protect it.

The Relationship Between Root Canals And Dental Crowns

You will need a root canal if a cavity manages to damage the living tissue within your tooth. The process of accessing this tissue, which is at the tooth’s center, will make it necessary to fit your tooth with a crown.

How A Single-Visit Crown Is Possible

You can actually cut the process of receiving a crown down to one visit thanks to CEREC. By combining 3D imaging technology and an in-house milling machine, your dentist can produce a crown made from porcelain, or one from zirconia, and affix it to your tooth in the same appointment.